Passenger safety briefings

Carrying passengers aboard an aircraft is a privilege we are allowed once we become certified as pilots. It is a privilege that is sometimes taken for granted. However, the airlines don’t take it for granted, and neither should we. While our passengers may not be paying for transportation, they are never the less entitled to the same care which they receive aboard an airliner. Ok, so maybe they aren’t entitled to food service aboard your Cessna 182, but virtually all other aspects of service are appropriate. What does this mean for the general aviation pilot? If you follow these simple steps when you are carrying passengers and you may just get some repeat customers.

The first courtesy that you should extend is to inquire about the health of the prospective passenger. A person with a sinus problem or recovering from a cold is probably a good candidate to leave behind. Once aloft, sinus pressure can be an extremely painful experience and has few adequate remedies. Once they can breath relatively freely and without the use of medicine, they are probably ok to fly. If you’re like me, then you know somebody who gets queasy in cars and airplanes. It is my opinion that people that are prone to motion sickness are also better off staying on the ground. A sick passenger can be a huge distraction that takes your attention away from the important task of flying the aircraft. In any event, any health precondition of a passenger that the pilot is aware of may warrant a modified flight plan (i.e. shorter legs, or lower cruise altitude) if the flight is to proceed. At a minimum, consider all aspects of the planned flight and make a careful decision about carrying a medically questionable passenger.

Once you decide to let someone board your aircraft, it’s time to give them a safety briefing. This briefing may be tailored to a specific aircraft or specific mission profile, but there are some basic topics that should be included in every briefing. 1) Make clear to the passenger(s) that you are the pilot in command. If the passenger is also a pilot, it is especially important to get this squared away prior to flight. Two people who both think they’re in charge is a recipe for an accident. 2) Lay out your rules about what the passenger may touch in the aircraft. Some obvious items to consider include the control column, radios, door latch, etc. A quick tour of all the "hands-off" items is recommended when carrying non-pilot passengers. Likewise, tell the passenger what they can touch. For many first time passengers, something to fiddle with during the flight helps relieve anxiety that they may have. 3) Explain the use of safety belts and shoulder harness carefully, and have the passenger demonstrate competency latching and unlatching them. I know this sounds like a kindergarten drill, but aircraft occupants have died in survivable crashes because their belts were latched improperly. However, even though you have given the instruction, it may still be necessary to assist them in the event of an emergency. Also let them know when the belts need to be fastened during the flight. 4) Show the passenger(s) any emergency equipment that might be aboard and assure they know how to use each item. This doesn’t mean to light a fire and have them practice extinguishing it, but rather to make sure they know were the extinguisher is and the steps to discharge it. First aid kits are carried by some pilots as well. A quick brief on it’s location and contents is in order. Remember that you may be incapacitated as the result of an accident and a passenger may have to help you! 5) Instruct the passenger on emergency egress procedures, including the use of emergency exits if so equipped. Since even a baggage door may be used for escape in many light aircraft, it is critical to instruct them on how it opens from the inside. 6) If there are any horns or other peculiar sounds that the passenger might hear during the flight, (e.g., gear horn, stall horn, autopilot chimes, etc.) its not a bad idea to forewarn the passenger(s) so they don’t panic if one goes off. Some noises that pilots are accustomed to may startle or scare an unsuspecting passenger into grabbing something that you’d rather not have them grab! 7) For first time passengers, it is wise to provide brief explanations of the sensations or changes in motion to expect during the flight. A passenger may feel anxiety regardless of what you tell them, but if they hear an explanation from you ahead of time, then they are more likely to believe that the sensation is normal and may be less anxious than they might be otherwise. 8) Last, but certainly not least, during the flight, you should inquire about the passenger’s comfort. Adjust the ventilation or heat as necessary and watch for signs of discomfort. A simple "how you doing over there?" is an easy way to get a feel for the passenger’s comfort level.

While there are certainly other topics that can be briefed, I believe those listed here are the bare necessity. They will help assure your safety, and most certainly the passengers’ safety and comfort. A thorough passenger briefing is a sign of professionalism and will gain you the respect you deserve as pilot in command. Try it out next time you carry a passenger. Once you get in the habit of doing safety briefings, you’ll probably find that you can make them as entertaining as they are informative for the passenger.